MIDSOLE

PWRRUN is great, but PWRRUN+ is even better! According to Saucony, this new and improved midsole material provides 5 percent more energy return, is 28 percent more lightweight, and is 2 times more flexible than previous versions of the PWRRN midsole cushioning.

This midsole cushioning feels great when you slip your feet into this shoe, and feels as if you are running on tiny trampolines for springy toe-offs and soft landings.

What makes PWRRN+ unique is that it isn’t made from your traditional EVA foam that quickly breaks down over time. Instead, it is composed of TPU materials that are long-lasting and will not squish down into a pancake over time.

Whether it is hot or cold outside, the PWRRUN+ midsole cushioning gives you a consistent performance no matter what the temperature is outside.

OUTSOLE

The outsole of this Saucony Xodus 11 is where this shoe really shines. It boasts 5 mm multi-directional lugs that boost your overall stability as well as grip the ground. The PWRTRAC rubber has a tacky finish that works incredibly well on both wet and dry surfaces.

If you need something that is built for tough trails, this outsole is built insanely tough. In fact, many runners found that it holds up to over 500 miles of continued use before the lugs start to wear down.

What I also love about this trail running shoe is that the lugs aren’t so aggressive that they can’t be worn on sidewalks as well.

While the aggressive lugs are built to shine on the trails, they perform quite well on even surfaces. It wouldn’t exactly wear these shoes on the treadmill, but for trails that shift from paved to rocky- they are a great choice.

It’s important to note that this heavy-duty outsole also adds to the overall weight of the shoe. It weighs in at around 11.9 ounces, which is a tad on the heavier side.

While it may be heavier than most, but the added stability, durability, and performance are well worth a little extra weight.

UPPER

The engineered mesh upper is both breathable and supportive. This upper material is made to flex with your foot and resists bunching up on the top side of your foot as you run.

When compared to previous versions of the Xodus, this design is abrasion-resistant and built to hold up much better over time. If you want an upper that is incredibly breathable and contours to the shape of your foot, this is an excellent choice.

What I also love about the design of the upper is that it provides just enough cushioning where you need it most. The shallow heel collar will not rub or chafe against your heels as you run, and the slight padding along the collar wraps your ankles in on plush comfort.

It provides runners with an excellent toe-guard to protect their toes from sharp objects on the trail, and a slightly padded tongue to keep the top of your foot comfortable, yet reduces hot spots.

PERFORMANCE

I found that many of the modern trail running shoes like to blend speed with agility. They often lean into the ‘jack of all trades master of none’ category.

The Saucony Xodus 11, however, is a true stability trail runner. It offers maximum cushioning and traction that is built for even your most difficult of trails. It’s heavy, it’s bulky, but it gets the job done like no other!

Overall, I would recommend this running shoe for trail enthusiasts that need something that really grips the trails while offering excellent protection.

It boasts a built-in carbon plate that helps protect the underside of your feet from bruising under sharp rocks and tree roots, and an excellent toe guard to keep your toes protected.

While it’s a tad on the heavy side, the even distribution of weight keeps your stride nice and even, and doesn’t feel quite as heavy as you pick up the pace.

Whether you like to go on nice and easy trail runs, or love running long distances, the Saucony Xodus 11 is a great fit.

FIT

Overall, this shoe runs true to size. If you are a size 11 in your other Saucony shoes, the same can be said for the Xodus 11. If you are new to Saucony, be sure to take ample measurements of your feet and compare them to Saucony’s sizing chart.

Even when ordering online, the stretchy nature of the upper and the ample toe box means that finding the perfect size for your feet won’t be much of an issue.

If you are unsure about your size, it never hurts to run down to your local shoe store to give them a test run before you make your purchase!

One of the things that runners love about this shoe is that it is built to fit most sizes of feet. Whether your feet run a little wide or narrow, the Saucony Xodus 11 will fit like a glove. It boasts a nice and roomy toe box that allows your feet to naturally splay inside of the shoe for added stability.

When trail running, a wide toe box is essential for downhill descents because it prevents your toes from jamming up against the end of the shoe.

Additionally, as your feet start to swell on a long run, the wide fit of this shoe and the flexible upper stretches to fit your feet like a glove.

PRICE

It’s slightly expensive, but far from being the most expensive trail running shoe out there on the market. When you take into consideration that Saucony utilizes some of their more modern compounds, such as the PWRRUN+ midsole cushioning, the price tag clocks in at a really great value.

It’s a shoe that is designed to tackle even the most difficult trails while the outsole shows very little signs of wear and tear. Runners found that this design held up incredibly well even after 500 miles of extreme trail running.

The high-end materials used with the extended durability from the PWRTRAC outsole make this shoe well worth every penny!

There isn’t a whole lot that had changed between the Xodus 10 and the Xodus 11. Performance-wise, these two shoes are essentially identical.

They boast the same PWRRUN+ midsole, deep lugs on the rubber outsole, and a very similar weight. The biggest change made to this shoe is that Saucony reworked the upper for a stronger overall fit.

The upper on the previous design of this shoe was a little on the shallow side. The heel counter wasn’t quite as strong as the Xodus 11, and some runners found that their heel often slipped out of the heel while they ran.

This new and improved upper boasts a higher heel collar that really locks your feet in place and has more padding for a super comfortable fit.

This upper also dropped a lot of the synthetic overlays that made this shoe a little stiff. By dripping many of these overlays, the Xodus 11 is a little more nimble and agile, as well as more breathable than previous versions.

It walks that perfect line between high-end stability and flexibility to keep you light and agile on your feet.

The changes made to this shoe are slight but are well worth it!

While it can technically transition to road running when needed, the Saucony Xodus 11 is a trail running shoe through and through. Runners absolutely love the performance of the PWRRUN+ midsole cushioning that is super lightweight and supportive.

When you slip your feet inside of this shoe, you can feel the plush cushioning adding an extra spring to your step. It may feel like you average running shoes when you lace them up, but they perform much like a hiking boot out there on the trails.

The 5 mm tacky lugs work well in both wet and dry conditions. When running through slick autumn leaves, the PWRTRAC outsole ensures that you never lose your footing or feel that you have to slow down your pace when the trail is slick.

It’s super comfortable, breathable, and responsive on even the most difficult trailheads. It’s also important to note that the 5 mm lugs excel well on the trails, but they can also easily transition to the sidewalks as needed.

If you are on the hunt for a great trail running shoe to keep your stride light and your feet protected, the Saucony Xodus 11 is a shoe that is worth checking out!